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Titanium dioxide proposed to be classified as suspected of causing cancer when inhaled

ECHA/PR/17/10

ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) concluded that the available scientific evidence meets the criteria in the CLP Regulation to classify titanium dioxide as a substance suspected of causing cancer through the inhalation route. The opinion will be formally adopted later by written procedure or at the September meeting.

Helsinki, 9 June 2017 – The committee assessed the carcinogenic potential of titanium dioxide against the criteria in the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation and, having considered the available scientific data, concluded that it meets the criteria to be classified as suspected of causing cancer (category 2, through the inhalation route).

The committee also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to classify titanium dioxide in the more severe category for carcinogenicity (category 1B) as was originally proposed by the dossier submitter, France. This more severe category refers to a substance which is presumed to cause cancer.

Following adoption, the opinion will go through a normal editorial check before it is sent to the European Commission for final decision making. The opinion will also be made available on ECHA’s website at the same time.

Background information

RAC first discussed titanium dioxide at its meeting in March 2017.

RAC provides an independent scientific opinion on the hazard classification of the substance. The classification is based solely on the hazardous properties of the substance. It does not take into account the likelihood of exposure to the substance and therefore does not address the risks of exposure.